Category: INVERTEBRATES


4-13-17 Golden Birdwing from Ron’s Butterfly Series

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April 13, 2017

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae

Genus/species; Troides rhadamantus

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The top and bottom of the forewings are black with the veins bordered by white.
The underside of T. rhadamantus is very similar to the topside.
The top and bottomsides of the hind wings of T. rhadamantus are golden with the veins and the edge of the wing black.
The abdomens top is black with a yellow underside. Head and thorax are black.

Wing span up to 23 cm or 9 inches (large for a swallowtail butterfly)

DISTRIBUTION: Philippines

DIET: Feeding on nectar from large flowers and are often seen circling the hibiscus trees.
Host Plant: Arstolochia sp

PREDATION: Its bright yellow and black coloration is a warning that it tastes bad. The caterpillars feed on a plant which has distasteful chemicals.

IUCN No entry

REMARKS: The Golden Birdwing has heat sensing cells at the base of its wings to warn it of sudden changes in temperature. This protects them from overheating.

References

California Academy of Sciences Rainforest 2017

Missouri Botanical Garden  www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/visit/family-of-attractio…

EOL eol.org/pages/130796/overview

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/33365959661/in/album-72157608449327886/

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1O3

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4-12-17 Banded Orange Heliconian from Ron’s Butterfly Series

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April 12, 2017

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed or four-footed butterflies) The first pair of legs are small or reduced, giving the family the other names of four-footed or brush-footed butterflies.
Subfamily: Heliconiinae (passion-vine butterflies)

Genus/species: Dryadula phaetusa

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Males are bright orange with heavy black stripes dorsally (above); striking and quite different brown, orange, and white pattern below. Females somewhat duller with blurred black stripes.

Dryadula phaetusa 3129818320_9e962aa397_b

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: The Banded Orange Heliconian is native throughout the continental Neotropics, from central Mexico to Brazil; summer migrant in U.S. north to Kansas. It is usually found in disturbed lowland areas. Adults roost in small groups on grass.

DIET IN THE WILD: Caterpillars feed on various host passion-flower vine species; adults feed primarily on nectar and bird droppings.

REPRODUCTION: Eggs are laid singly on stems and leaves of host plants. Larvae of all heliconiines are spiny, have two spines on the head capsule. The inactive pupae are suspended with the body held either horizontal or vertical to the substrate and metamorphose into adults.

MORTALITY/LONGEVITY: They are long lived for butterflies. Heliconius spp. are among the Methuselahs of the butterfly world. Most butterflies live only days; some Heliconians in the adult (butterfly) stage, including the Heliconius melpomene, live for as long as 8 months. 

Banded Orange Heliconian aka Orange Tiger (wing bottom)Dryadula phaetusa Dryadula phaetusa

REMARKS: The Banded Orange is the sole member of its genus. The genus is distinguished by having shorter, broader wings and shorter antennae than others in the heliconiine subfamily.

References

Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608449327886/with/3129818320/

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-12q

Butterflies and Moths of North America www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Dryadula-phaetusa

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute biogeodb.stri.si.edu/bocas_database/search/species/1110

Tree of Life tolweb.org/Heliconiini/

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4-11-17 Malachite from Ron’s Rainforest Butterfly Series

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April 11, 2017

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies)
Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)

Genus/species: Siproeta stelenes

Malachite (wing top)Siproeta stelenes

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Upperside dark black-brown with translucent yellow to lime–green patches. Underside orange-brown with greenish patches.

Wing Span: 8.3 – 10.1 cm (3.3 – 3.9 in)

Wing bottom or ventral surface

Malichite (wing bottom) on leaves_

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Common resident throughout Central and northern South America. In U.S., found in southern Texas and south Florida. Found in subtropical evergreen and semi-deciduous forests as well as fruit orchards in Florida.

DIET IN THE WILD: Caterpillars: host plants of the family Acanthaceae. Adults: rotting fruit; occasionally bird droppings and nectar.

REPRODUCTION: Eggs laid singly on host plant leaves. In warmest climates, up to four broods per year.

Malachite 3179150180_90dc2d417b_o_2

REMARKS: Named for the mineral malachite, reminiscent of the bright green of the wings. Adults roost together under the leaves of low shrubs. Green and black coloration provides excellent camouflage.

References

flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608449327886/

California Academy of Sciences Rainforest 2017

flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608449327886/

WordPress Shortlink  wp.me/p1DZ4b-146

butterflies and moths of North America  www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/siproeta-stelenes

Iowa State University Bug Guide  bugguide.net/node/view/2767

EOL eol.org/pages/4068082/details

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4-5-17 Forest Giant Owl butterfly from Ron’s Rainforest Butterfly Series

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April 5, 2017

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda (Jointed Legged Animals)
Class: Insecta  (head, usually with two antennae. The thorax, has six legs and usually four wings. The abdomen, is used for breathing and reproduction.)
Order: Lepidoptera (most butterflies and moths)
Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)

Genus/species: Caligo eurilochus

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The color of the top (dorsal) wings is blue-gray.   Its ventral (bottom) wing surface is brown and tan with many lines and two large eye spots.

Wingspan up to 12.5 cm (5 inches). 

Wing bottom

Giant Owl Butterfly Caligo sp.

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Mexico south to Amazonia in rainforests and secondary forests.

DIET IN THE WILD: Adults feed on rotting fruit, sipping liquids through their proboscis.

Wing Top

Giant Owl Butterfly IMG_0008

REPRODUCTION: The five larval instars each take a week to moult from one form to the other and the process therefore lasts about five weeks. The last instar moults to the chrysalis form which can be found hanging before the butterfly emerges at the end of five weeks

LIFESPAN: Up to seven weeks

PREDATORS: Fly at dusk to avoid avian predators.

Parasitized by tiny wasps known as Trichogrammatid which are parasitoids meaning that they kill their host

Giant Owl Butterfly 3175391673_2e6880dc85_b

REMARKS: Giant owls larvae are large and voracious, and one individual can consume an entire banana leaf more than 3 feet long!

The common name is derived from the large “eyespots” on the underside of wings, thought to be deterrents to bird predators.

Rainforest butterflies

References

California Academy of Sciences Docent Rainforest Training Manual 2014.

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute biogeodb.stri.si.edu/bocas_database/search/quick/open/?se…

Encyclopedia of Life  eol.org/pages/137994/details

Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608449327886/

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-12x

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4-3-17 Bat Wing Butterfly from Ron’s Rainforest Butterfly Series

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April 3, 2017

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae (Swallowtail butterflies)

Genus/species: Atrophaneura semperi

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The body has red hairs with black wings. The underside of the hind wings have red markings. Females are dark-brown with light pink markings on the upperside of the wings.

Wingspan is 12–15 cm (4.6-6 in)

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The Bat Wing Butterfly is found in primary rain forest habitats, but occasionally also in advanced secondary forest during rainy season.

References

California Academy of Science Rainforest 201

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1NL

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/33485856001/in/album-72157608449327886/

EOL eol.org/pages/131251/details

Animal Diversity Web
 animaldiversity.org/accounts/Atrophaneura_semperi/classif…

 

 

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3-30-17 Julia Longwing from Ron’s Rainforest Butterfly Series

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March 30, 2017

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies)
Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Tribe: Heliconiini

Genus/species: Dryas julia

Female below

Julia Longwingbutterfly female 3779880432_9f39949f0e_b

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Elongate forewings, thus the common name Males bright orange above and below; upper side of hindwing has narrow black border on outer margin. Female duller, with more pronounced black markings above.

Wing Span: 3 1/4 – 3 5/8 inches.

Male below

Julia Longwingbutterfly Male 3506886372_2a38133601_o

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Brazil north through Central America, Mexico, West Indies, peninsular Florida, and South Texas. Strays as far north as eastern Nebraska. Found in subtropical forest openings and edges, and nearby fields.

DIET IN THE WILD: Caterpillars feed on passion vines; adults on nectar from flowers.

DIET IN CAPTIVITY: Butterflies in the Academy Rainforest thrive on nectar provided by biologists and by the many flowers in the exhibit. The also take up juices and pulp from soft fruits at feeding stations.

Male below

Julia Longwingbutterfly Male IMG_0422

REPRODUCTION: Like all species in the subfamily Heliconiinae, also known as heliconians or longwings, adults lay eggs only on select host plants of the genus Passiflora, commonly called passion vines or passion flowers. D. julia eggs are laid singly on new growth; caterpillars feed on leaves.

References

California Academy of Sciences Docent Rainforest Training Manual 2014

Ron’s flickr  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608449327886/with/3506886372/

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden www.lewisginter.org/sexually-dimorphic-butterflies/

Butterflies and Moths  www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Dryas-iulia

Tree of Life  tolweb.org/Dryas_iulia/70435

Encyclopedia of Life eol.org/pages/158533/details

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-133

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3-28-17 Isabella’s Longwing from Ron’s Butterfly Series

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March 28, 2017

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies)
Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Subfamily: Heliconiinae

Genus/species: Eueides isabella

Isabella’s Longwing 3142851869_bae440d7fe_b

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The forewing is elongated with a rounded apex. Wings are similar above and below. Apical half of forewing is black with yellow areas and the basal half is orange with a black stripe. E, isabellas hindwing is orange with 2 black stripes with white dots along the black outer margin.

Wing span 7.8 – 9 cm (3 1/16 – 3 1/2 in.in)

wing bottom

Isabella’s Longwing 3142838083_ea56d1fbc3_b

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Isabella’s Longwing is widely distributed in Central America and throughout northern South America south through Brazil. They occasionally migrate to the southern U.S., especially Texas. Found from sea level to 1,500 m (4,900 feet) in canopy of the tropical forests.

Isabella’s Longwing IMG_2621

DIET IN THE WILD: Caterpillars: host passion vine leaves; adults: nectar and pollen.

REPRODUCTION: Males mate with receptive females, which may breed more than once. Not a pupal mater. (See Zebra Longwing). Eggs are laid singly on underside of host plant.

Isabella’s Longwing 4747789342_133268328d_o

MORTALITY: Like all Heliconians, they are long-lived.

References

California Academy of Sciences Rainforest 2017 

Butterflies and Moths of North America  www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/eueides-isabella

EOL eol.org/pages/155267/details

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-13d

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/3142851869/in/album-72157608449327886/

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3-27-17 Orchid Mantis from Ron’s Mantis Series

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March 27, 2017

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Mantodea
Family: Hymenopodidae

Genus/species: Hymenopus coronatus 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The Orchid Mantis look like an orchid. With white/pink projections over their legs, neck, and abdomen. The four walking legs mimic flower petals. Color changes with maturity to match their surroundings. As adults both species possess fully grown wings, and the male can fly very well.
Sexual dimorphism is marked. The males may be less than half the size of females.

Length of females up to 6 cm (2.4 in), males up to 3 cm (1.2 in)

DISTRIBUTION: Malaysia, Indonesia and Borneo

DIET IN THE WILD: H. coronatus is carnivorous feeding on flying insects.

Male mantis below

REPRODUCTION: During the 1st instar hatchlings, orchid mantises resemble ants with black bodies and red legs. Only after they have shed their skin one time (2nd instar), they become white. After a few more sheds, they will get their final color, white or pink, males with a brownish-purple “necklace”, and females with a green necklace.

References

California Academy of Sciences Rainforest level one, 2017
Vetted Academy biologist

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/32772216524/in/album-72157620567930293/

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-1Nw

World Association of Zoos and Aquariums WAZA  http://www.waza.org/en/zoo/choose-a-species/invertebrates/insects-and-millipedes/hymenopus-coronatus

EOL www.eol.org/pages/3489686/details

insectstore insectstore.com/mantids/hymenopus-coronatus-orchid-mantis

 

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3-24-17 Blue Morpho from Ron’s Rainforest Butterfly Series

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March 24, 2017

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies)
Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)

Genus/species: Morpho peleides

Top-side (dorsal)

Blue Morpho 3175390675_70bdc9fe60_o

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Among the largest butterflies in the world, wing span from five to eight inches.

Color of Life notation: Color Sources, structural color, iridescence.
Wing tops are an iridescent blue, edged with black, caused not by a true color, such as the pigment dye of blue jeans, but by structural coloration resulting from tiny, overlapping scales that cover their wings. Because of the precise angle of the ridges they form, the scales which reflect blue light back to our eyes. The contrasting underside of the wing is brown with a confusion of eyespots that can startle a potential predator, thereby allowing the butterfly to escape predators. This is called deistic behavior.
Females less brilliantly colored.

Ref. California Academy of Sciences Color of Life Exhibit, May 2015

underside and topside

Blue Morpho Butterfly 4330619902_ec31e9c058_b

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Tropics of Latin America from Mexico to Colombia. Feeds and sleeps on or near the forest floor, but when mating, they fly throughout forest layers.

DIET IN THE WILD: Caterpillar, it chews leaves but adults can’t chew so they drinks juices of rotting plants and animals, tree sap, and wet mud, sipping all with its straw-like proboscis.

Underside (ventral)

REPRODUCTION: Like most butterflies, males release pheromones to attract females. Fertilized eggs hatch in about 9 days. The caterpillar of  M. peleides is red-brown with patches of bright green.

Blue Morpho Butterfly 8677456846_7df05acbb0_oLONGEVITY: Total lifespan: egg to adult, about 4.5 months; adults (butterflies): about 1 month.

PREDATORS: Birds (jacamar and flycatcher) and large insects.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Not Evaluated, but under some pressure as trophies for collectors and deforestation of tropical forests..

REMARKS:  M. peleides brilliant reflection is so intense that pilots report seeing their flash of color as the butterflies warm themselves above the treetops. Different angles of view (and so different angles of reflecting ridges) produce variations in the shades of blue perceived.

References

California Academy of Sciences Rainforest 2017

California Academy of Sciences Color of Life Exhibit 2015

Ron’s flickr  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608449327886/with/3175390675/

Ron’s WordPress shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-12J

Encyclopedia of Life eol.org/pages/139904/details

WAZA  www.waza.org/en/zoo/choose-a-species/invertebrates/insect…

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3-22-17 Great Mormon Swallowtail from Ron’s Rainforest Butterfly Series

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March 22, 2017

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies)
Family: Papilionidae (Swallowtail butterflies)

Genus/species: Papilio memnon

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: P.memon has four male and many female forms, Male Great Mormons never have tails, while females may or may not.
Span.is large up to 150 millimetres (4.7 to 5.9 in)

male wing upperside (dorsal)

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Range: Southeast Asia. Adults inhabit forest clearings and disturbed areas,

male wing underside (ventral)

DIET IN THE WILD: P. memnon visits flowers of Poinsettia, Jasminum, Lantana, Canna, and Salvia. (known to mud-puddle)

Female wing upperside (dorsal)

REPRODUCTION: Adults lay single eggs on the underside of leaves, which hatch in three days. For the first four instars, caterpillars resemble bird droppings. Pupation occurs after about 2.5 weeks.

Female wing underside (ventral)

References

California Academy of Sciences Rainforest 2017 Vetting Tim Wong

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/33144076391/in/album-72157608449327886/

EOL  eol.org/pages/131345/details

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden www.lewisginter.org/sexually-dimorphic-butterflies/

Butterfly corner.net en.butterflycorner.net/Papilio-memnon-Great-Mormon.1248.0…

 

3-6-17

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